Denver Broncos Jarvis Moss (94) sits on the bench alone at the end of the game against the San Francisco 49ers October 31, 2010 at Wembley Stadium. Moss was called for a penalty late in the 4th quarter which nullified a punt return for a touchdown by Eddie Royal. Moss sat on the bench after the team left the field. John Leyba, The Denver Post

In each football life, the yellow flags will fall. It’s a given. Penalties happen from time to time.

NFL players are too big, too strong, too fast and too intent on gaining an advantage on every snap to avoid penalties. For the most part, however, good teams find a way to avoid too many infractions that cause too much trouble.

The Broncos (2-6) aren’t playing well enough to overcome penalties that wiped away two touchdowns Sunday in London. One of their most painful penalties of the season was Jarvis Moss’ unnecessary block in the back on Eddie Royal’s 78-yard punt return for a touchdown that put Denver within a two-point conversion of tying the game against the 49ers in the closing minutes. But the Broncos also have committed needless clerical penalties as well — on offense, especially.

At the season’s halfway point, the Broncos already have four delay-of-game penalties on offense — two in the season opener. They also have three penalties for illegal formations (one was declined) and two penalties for illegal shifts (both were declined).

They’re basically presnap fouls caused when things aren’t going smoothly either getting the play in from the coaches or getting lined up once the offense has the call. A difficult offense to learn seems to stump even veteran players from time to time.

Sunday in London, officials flagged Broncos wide receiver Jabar Gaffney for being in the wrong spot. It was an illegal formation call, and no other player on the Denver roster has spent more time in coach Josh McDaniels’ offense than Gaffney.

Those kinds of penalties sap an offense of rhythm and tempo if they continue. But they’re also repairable. Some NFL offensive coordinators would consider backing off, simplifying a little, trading the potential for surprise for better efficiency.

Denver’s defense, trying a variety of things to ramp up the performance against the run, hasn’t been immune, either. That unit was flagged Sunday for having 12 players on the field, the second time this season that has happened.

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